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Peaceville in Belgium: Part 2: The Gonewest Lichtfront event in Nieuwpoort

Continuing from the previous instalment about my time in
Bruges, our next destination was the coastal city of Nieuwpoort. We knew that
we’d be attending the Gonewest
Lichtfront (or ‘Lightfront’ in English), but otherwise knew very little
about the location and therefore spent the afternoon exploring the side streets
and beaches. Our hotel called “Cosmopolite” was
just on the beach front, and although fairly accessible, it was by no means out
of the ordinary. We had two rooms, and my accessible one was nicely equipped
with a big wet room and a bed with leg room for my hoist.

Although we had our own vehicle, we eagerly checked out the land
tram for its accessibility features and I’m happy to report that it was
wheelchair friendly! The pavement was raised to meet the doorway, with ramps
inside if needed. It wasn’t a problem to explore this city, but I didn’t notice
any accessibility features on the seafront such as beach friendly wheelchairs.

The Lichtfront was a multinational event on the most western
point of Flanders marking the 84km distance from the beach at Nieuwpoort to the
‘Memorial of the Missing’ in Ploegsteert, where 8,400 torchbearers lit the path
to commemorate the loss of lives during the First World War. We had prime
viewing at the central location of the Albert I Memorial in Nieuwpoort,
situated on the De Ganzenpoot locks. This enormous monument celebrates the life
of King Albert and as the sun shone through the clouds, it looked beautifully
golden. Though access was limited by a huge step, it was nice to admire from
afar.

The event unfolded smoothly as the sun began to set, we were
positioned between the TV cameras had a clear view across the locks. We watched
the torchbearers come closer and could see the path of light glow for miles in
the distance, and as it reached the lock, the bigger torches were lit. We were
treated to a firework display which ran along the lock edge, that illuminated
the surrounding trees which I thought evoked the feeling of the trench warfare.
As a finale, the main lock gate ran with a fiery waterfall symbolising the rush
of water into the centre of the lock, a metaphor for the joining of allies,
which was a beautiful spectacle against the night’s sky. It felt almost magical
as the smoke drifted across the lock and engulfed the mass crowd, whether it
was intentional or not it felt like we had been taken back in time to a smoke
filled war zone. And as the ceremony drew to a close, a 100 year old guest
turned the locks levers to project the names of the soldiers who lost their
lives during the war onto the Albert I Memorial, I felt truly honoured to be a
part of such a special occasion which was put together so compassionately.

The Lichtfront was neither solemn nor was it commercialised;
it was respectful and its beauty laid in the coming together of the community,
illuminating the darkened path together as a united assembly from different
cultures, countries and creeds. The event left us feeling extremely humbled,
and extremely honoured to be part of it. It certainly won’t be forgotten, nor
will the hundreds of thousands of men who lost their lives between 1914 and
1918.

This continues in Peaceville in Belgium: Part 3: Ieper, and
the Last Post Ceremony.

I'm an extremely motivated and enthusiastic person, who just so happens to be in a wheelchair and have SMA type 2. I'm mid-twenties and living in the UK as a Freelance Illustrator, but have a passion for travel and aiding other disabled people to do the same with the help of Our SMAll Adventure.